Austria and Poland eye social media limits for minors

European trend pursue legal age limits to protect children online.
Greece is preparing major online safety rules by planning a ban on social media for under-15s, with enforcement expected through the Kids Wallet app.

Austria is advancing plans to bar children under 14 from social media when the new school year begins in September 2026, according to comments from a senior Austrian official. Poland’s government is drafting a law to restrict access for under-15s, using digital ID tools to confirm age.

Austria’s governing parties support protecting young people online but differ on how to verify ages securely without undermining privacy. In Poland supporters of the draft argue that early exposure to screens is a parental and platform enforcement issue.

Austria and Poland form part of a broader European trend as France moves to ban under-15s and the UK is debating similar measures. Wider debates tie these proposals to concerns about children’s mental health and online safety.

Proponents in both Austria and Poland aim to finalise legal frameworks by 2026, with implementation potentially rolling out in the following year if national parliaments approve the age restrictions.

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